MARINE extended their unbeaten league run to five matches with a draw at Bower Fold on Saturday, the game ending 1-1 with hosts FC United of Manchester.

The Crosby side have yet to record a victory over the Mancunians in seven attempts but probably should have broken their duck this time, having the better of the scoring chances on a damp afternoon at Stalyvegas.

Referee David Storrie had a busy afternoon, showing yellow cards no fewer than 11 times in what was a full blooded but generally fairly fought encounter, FC’s Ben Deegan seeing two of them to depart the fray amid much controversy.

The home side threatened with a free-kick which rebounded off Ryan McMahon in the Marine goal, Matthew Wolfenden sending the ball back in with the visitors’ defence managing to clear the danger.

Aaron Rey went on a good run down the left, cutting in before firing an angled drive which brought a fine stop from James Spencer to push the ball away.

The Mariners took the lead after 37 minutes with a smart finish from Stephen Johnson, the winger, pacy and direct throughout, pouncing on Dean Stott’s error to finish clinically with a crisp shot inside the near post from 15 yards.

The start of the second-half saw the Mariners have a great chance to double their lead, Andy Fowler driving in to the box with Johnson crossing, Rey blazing over the top from six yards .

It was a pivotal miss at a crucial point of the game.

The home side levelled proceedings just before the hour mark, a free-kick from the right being met by a stooping header from Wolfenden to steer the ball inside the far post.

Deegan collected the first of his yellow cards when sliding in on McMahon as the keeper came out to collect, cueing a flare up involving players from both sides.

Marine possibly had some good fortune late on when Deegan appeared to be tripped in the box, the Joe Jordan-esque forward instead seeing a second yellow card for simulation in modern parlance – in old money a dive – with opinion split amongst observers as to the merits of the decision.

A penalty and probable winning goal would have been harsh on the Mariners though, as they moved within a point of the play-off positions.